Sniff Now, Downtown Chicago’s Losing That Chocolate Smell

If the wind is just right, or you step out of your hotel or get to work at just the right time in downtown Chicago, you might pick up a scent that would make Willy Wonka jealous. You're more likely to smell it if you're staying or working near the Fulton River district of Chicago. I'm talking about the sweet chocolate smell that sometimes permeates the area.

Well, that's going away soon.

Bloomer Chocolate Company has been in what's now the Fulton River District since 1939. Their Chicago facility, their original factory, will be closing soon. A victim of location and age according to a Blommer Chocolate press release.

“It was an incredibly challenging yet inevitable decision to close the Chicago plant. However, in order to propel Blommer to the next level, we must embrace progress, transformation and elevation,” says Mark Okita, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Commercial for Blommer Chocolate in a press release.

The smell of chocolate in parts of downtown Chicago and the Fulton River District is just part of the fabric of Chicago. I remember coming out of the clubs in the Fulton River District, or back in the day, Fulton Market at 2:00 AM and smelling the chocolate. Or showing up for an early dj shift at my college radio station and smelling it.

According to Blommer, the location and the age of their original factory coupled with increasing repair and maintenance of the building and equipment has made the closure necessary. The chocolate brand will focus its efforts and resources first, on expanding its Camplellford Canada operation.

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The chocolate empire, founded in Chicago isn't abandoning the City of Big Shoulders. Blommer's headquarters remains in the Merchandise Mart, as is their Applications Lab, and they are building a new Research & Development Center in the Mart. So Blommer's legacy in Chicago isn't over.

Even though, that sweet chocolate smell will be one more thing relegated to the history of Chicago. Sniff it while you can the next time you're in downtown Chicago.